The FRA Forum - Raceshttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/
The ups and downsenMon, 19 Mar 2018 12:26:58 GMTvBulletin60http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/images/metro/blue/misc/rss.pngThe FRA Forum - Raceshttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/
Cautley horeshoe 2018http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24104-Cautley-horeshoe-2018&goto=newpost
Wed, 14 Mar 2018 19:33:49 GMTJust a quick update .entries will open 1st of May. Limited entries via websiteJust a quick update .entries will open 1st of May. Limited entries via website
]]>Racesbrittyhttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24104-Cautley-horeshoe-2018http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24100-Doctor-s-Gate-25th-March&goto=newpost
Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:35:20 GMTI'm struggling to find any further details for the Doctor's Gate fell race on the 25th March, other than what is published in the handbook i.e. route, how to pre-enter etc. Does anyone know anything about it? The link from the race details page doesn't shed much light.

Thanks.
]]>RacesTom Smithhttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24100-Doctor-s-Gate-25th-MarchGritstone Series 2018http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24089-Gritstone-Series-2018&goto=newpost
Fri, 02 Mar 2018 14:52:05 GMTI've got it into my head that I'm going to try to do all ten races in the Gritstone Series this year. It's going to be a challenge for me as two of the races are just two days apart (and I'm usually incapacitated for a couple of days after a race), and the three long races are much longer than I'm currently running. However, I'm hoping that my progress will continue to be an upwards curve, and we'll start with Wolf's Pit and take it from there.
For anyone who's done the series before - do you get any kind of confirmation of entry from Accelerate? I filled in the online form several weeks ago but haven't even had an auto acknowledgement. I then filled in an online query about this, but didn't get a reply to that either :(
]]>Racesmountainslothhttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24089-Gritstone-Series-2018Carding Mill Canter 2018http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24088-Carding-Mill-Canter-2018&goto=newpost
Fri, 02 Mar 2018 11:51:35 GMTfrom the RO
POSTPONEMENT OF CARDING MILL CANTER
I have regrettably reached the decision to postpone the Carding Mill Canter.
I have...from the RO

POSTPONEMENT OF CARDING MILL CANTER

I have regrettably reached the decision to postpone the Carding Mill Canter.
I have wrestled at length over this but have taken the decision on the basis of advice I’ve received,
and on a number of factors which I’ll summarise below;

• The weather forecast says we are still due another 10 hours plus of heavy snow between now and the race.
• The parking areas (both school and CMV) are inaccessible.
• The course is already impassable in places.
• There have been 'wise' public comments from respected sources on previous social media posts about exercising caution.
• The NT are closing all facilities in the Valley today and tomorrow.
• The NT have expressed a desire that we exercise caution (and not run the race).

And most importantly,
• I have a duty of care to all runners and marshals.

WE WILL RESCHEDULE FOR LATER IN THE YEAR.
SORRY AGAIN TO HAVE TO TAKE THIS DECISION.
]]>RacesDave_Molehttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24088-Carding-Mill-Canter-2018Mow Cop Hill Racehttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24087-Mow-Cop-Hill-Race&goto=newpost
Fri, 02 Mar 2018 10:42:10 GMTIt's the 9th Mow Cop Hill (fell) Race Sunday April 8th
Traditional style fell race cat. BM 6.5 miles 1300 ft ascent
11.00 am start £5 entry
Prizes for first 3 M/F 10 year vet categories V40, V50, V60, V70, also first M/F teams of 3
Free tea and coffee and lovely home bakes cakes to buy!
Entry on the day only, from Mount Pleasant Village Hall (ST7 3LG) bottom of the hill...
You will enjoy it!!
]]>Racesgeofpethttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24087-Mow-Cop-Hill-RaceLancashire fell Champshttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24083-Lancashire-fell-Champs&goto=newpost
Mon, 26 Feb 2018 13:35:40 GMTThe 2018 Lancashire fell Championships Junior and Senior will be held in conjunction with the Pendle fell races at Barley Village on Saturday the 7th...The 2018 Lancashire fell Championships Junior and Senior will be held in conjunction with the Pendle fell races at Barley Village on Saturday the 7th of April.

There are Junior races and Lancashire Championships medals to the 1st 3 in each Junior age group from under 9s to Under 19s. ( the Under 19s and Under 23s run with the Seniors in the main Pendle race )

There are Lancashire Championships medals to the first 3 seniors, Under 23s and Vets
Over 40/50/60/70 men and Women.

Lancashire Championships medals to the first Lancashire Affiliated club, 4 to count which can be made up of Seniors, Vets and a Under 23s men and women.

These Championships will also be the County selection race for the Fell Inter Counties races, Junior and Senior

Details of the Pendle races Junior and Senior can be found on the Clayton Le Moors Harriers website
]]>RacesLeftyhttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24083-Lancashire-fell-ChampsHeartbeat Hobblehttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24082-Heartbeat-Hobble&goto=newpost
Mon, 26 Feb 2018 12:48:50 GMTI apologise in advance for being so predictable but when I find myself racing from the village that was used as the main film set for one of the most...I apologise in advance for being so predictable but when I find myself racing from the village that was used as the main film set for one of the most popular TV programmes of yesteryear, the inevitable will materialise:

Heartbeat
Why do you miss when my baby kisses me?
Heartbeat
Why does a love kiss stay in my memory?

Whilst I’m reminiscing about the classic British drama that was Heartbeat, one thing springs to mind: whatever did happen to Nick Berry who played the village copper? .....I never thought that question would pop up in a fell race ‘report’.

I think my mum had a soft spot for Nick and his clean cut demeanour. She’d often say, “oh he is handsome that Nick Berry”.....I’d look over at my dad who’d roll his eyes....I’d laugh.

Only last night....25 plus years after the first showing of Heartbeat...we’re out as a family celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary. I told them I was racing in the morning from where Heartbeat was filmed...my dad said, “ Goathland, lovely part of the world”...my mum said, “oh Nick Berry was handsome”.....my dad rolled his eyes, I laughed.

Typical of many of the races around North Yorkshire Moors the race registration is from the organisers car parked up on the edge of the moor. I love this low key feel that’s synonymous with fellrunning, especially around these parts...the late great Dave Parry’s race registration from the passenger seat of his car will forever go down in fellrunning folklore....it’s heartwarming to see Dave’s tradition being carried on.

It was nice seeing my fellow Chorley teammate Graham also doing the race, Graham was having a weekend away with his wife and there just so happened to be a fell race in the area....it’s not only me then that books holidays around races, I like your style Graham. More friendly faces appeared in the form of our friends from Yorkshire, the Crabtree’s....I was surprised to see them, they however weren’t that surprised to see me, “typical, Fishwick’s here” was Karen’s response.

The race is new to the calendar and looked to attract a pretty good turnout, I’ve not seen any results as yet but would estimate that maybe 120+ turned up. Race favourite was Harry Holmes and just for good measure Harry ran around the full 7 mile course BEFORE the race. He then consequently flew around the course again during the race leaving us to marvel at the talents this young athlete is showing....Harry then went and did another 6 miles and was back in time for the presentation...respect.

The course is far better than it looks on the map. I’d envisaged a relatively flat route with not too many difficulties to be encountered...I really need to be more vigilant when studying race maps. In truth it was reasonably flat with no stiff climbs, I’d got that bit right, as all the ascents were gradual and tended to weave between the moorland heather. However underfoot conditions were boggy and made for some tricky sections where my choice of Trail shoes was less the favourable....especially on the run down from the last checkpoint.

On the day the weather was very kind, yes the ‘beast from the east’ that we keep getting warned about was offering up a cold breeze, but it turned out beltin with fantastic clarity throughout. The course was really well marked out and apart from a section along an access road near the woods I really enjoyed the route...certainly more ‘off road’ and less on trails than some of the other races I’ve encountered over this way.

I was back from the race before my wife, she’d gone for a walk in a pair of my trainers, as she’d forgotten to bring her own. I’m 3 sizes bigger than Alison and she looked like a Hobbit....when she got back I asked her if she’d found the ring, I’ll not repeat what she said.

I wasn’t pleased with how I’d ran, I told Alison I wasn’t fully focused and couldn’t get the Heartbeat song out of my head, causing me to be below par. She disagreed and said it’s more likely the fact I raced Friday night (Mr Sparkles Dark un) and Saturday (High cup Nick)...no sorry love, it was definitely the song.

Many thanks to Race organiser David and all his helpers...especially Bob, always a pleasure.

In case you’re wondering: Nick Berry no longer acts, he runs his own business and in his spare time supports West Ham....it could be worse, he could support Middlesbrough...sorry Bob.
]]>RacesTinderstickshttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24082-Heartbeat-HobbleHope Winter Fell Racehttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24072-Hope-Winter-Fell-Race&goto=newpost
Mon, 19 Feb 2018 14:21:24 GMTAfter an injury related lay off, I'm looking to get back on the fells, and I've earmarked this Sunday as my first race of the 2018 season. I've created a calendar for myself for the coming year with the races I'm wanting to do, but for this first race I have a clash - it's either the Hope Winter Fell Race or Hoppit's Hill. Hope is closer and more like the terrain I like, but, oddly, kit requirements and an 'NS required' still make me nervous.
Does anybody have any experience of the Hope Winter Race - is it generally well marked and marshalled? Is the course fairly easy to follow? I've done several nearby races - Bamford, Hathersage etc - but these have generally been summer affairs. I'm expecting to be in the back 20% of runners, and don't want to be too strung out/getting lost in these temperatures!
]]>Racesmountainslothhttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24072-Hope-Winter-Fell-RaceKWL - Longsleddalehttp://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?24071-KWL-Longsleddale&goto=newpost
Sun, 18 Feb 2018 23:31:40 GMTA day out at a Kendal Winter League race usually starts with a text to my mate Mark ‘fellephant’ Birbeck....”you doing KWL today fella”...”yes pal,...A day out at a Kendal Winter League race usually starts with a text to my mate Mark ‘fellephant’ Birbeck....”you doing KWL today fella”...”yes pal, 11 o’clock at the car park”.

The car park in question is at the Phantom Winger pub in Preston, it’s a convenient location for us all to meet and there’s normally a car full for the drive up to Cumbria. Today I arrived a bit early and the car park is already heaving....blimey how many are going today?

On closer inspection I’m the only runner, I’ve just driven smack bang into the middle of a ‘car meet’. The car park is full of all manner of prestigious vehicles and there’s a procedure in place. New arrivals drive up whilst revving the hell out of their pride and joys. These entrances of grandeur are excitedly greeted by groups of photographers happily snapping away at the horsepower on display. Imagine their disappointment when I roll up in my 13 year old Nissan x-trail...not one bloody photographer took a shot, how rude. I felt like popping my head out of the window and shouting, “181 thousand miles on the clock and still going strong....whoop whoop”.

I sit awaiting the arrival of fellow runners and still no photos are taken of my old Nissan...no matter how much I revved the ‘bad-boy’ up...oh well, at least it’s paid for. When my fellrunning buddies arrive their motors are also not worthy of a photographers click. We all jump in Marks car and when driving off the car park we can’t resist lowering the windows and start posturing for the cameras....one kid laughed and took a shot, we cheered...job done.

Longsleddale is a valley in South Lakeland and it’s stunning....a hidden gem. The race starts from the wonderfully named Docker Nook Farm from which post race refreshments are sold.

Tim’s pre race briefing is interesting. We’re warned about a potentially tricky descent through the woods, a slippery river crossing and a bog laden run across the fell top...I’m sold.

It’s a tough start straight into a climb but it’s worth it because the traversing descent that leads towards the woods is a cracker. The descent continues through the woods and takes us straight back down to the valley bottom. A little rest bite along the valley and we’re straight back into a zig-zag climb which eventually tops out onto what can only be described as ‘bog’. Strangely I enjoy this type of terrain and really start to pick up places and drop the few runners I was bunched up with on the last climb.

The last mile is on a fast runnable track that leads us through fields all the way to the finish....great race, possibly my new favourite of all the KWL races.

Many thanks to all involved and cheers to Andy Holden for informing me about Shoe goo....I’ll end up saving a small fortune in shoe repairs. With the money saved I might treat the old Nissan to some go-faster stripes...I pity them at the next car meet, they’ll be green with envy....